Hoyer Statement on the Resignation of Egypt’s President Mubarak

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the resignation of Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak:

“Today, the world witnessed a remarkable display of the power of ordinary people peacefully assembling to demand change. The resignation of Egypt’s President Mubarak is an inspiring and well-deserved victory for the protesters who have stood against his government. But Egypt’s future is still uncertain: the goal of a secular, democratically-elected civilian government, which keeps peace with its neighbors and meets its treaty obligations, will still take hard work and perhaps quite some time to realize in full. From my service as Chair of the Helsinki Commission at the end of the Cold War, I understand that the transition to democracy is an arduous process for any nation. That’s certainly true for Egypt, as well: its people’s work to shape their future is beginning today, not ending.

“Egypt’s people need a transparent, stable transition to democracy and a transitional government that respects the universal freedoms for which the protesters have risked their lives, including freedom of speech, assembly, and religion. I hope that the Egyptian people will remain engaged, holding the transitional government accountable for protecting those freedoms at every step. And I hope that the United States will continue to support civil society in Egypt and around the world, because such groups are vital to the creation of a culture in which democracy can endure and thrive.”